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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Narcissus keep the truth of Messalina from Claudius?
(a) He does not believe in meddling.
(b) He is as guilty as all the other men she sleeps with.
(c) He thought Claudius deserved it.
(d) He wants to spare Claudius' feelings.

2. What does Claudius prohibit Sosibius to teach Britannicus?
(a) Religion.
(b) German history.
(c) War histories.
(d) Greek philosophy.

3. How is Telegonius proved a runaway slave?
(a) Alabarch's brand is on his hip.
(b) It's Alabarch's word against his and Alabarch's is stronger amongst the jurors.
(c) Alabarch is able to present his list of certified slaves.
(d) There is no proof but Claudius does not care to see proof.

4. What sight makes Claudius happy when he reaches heaven?
(a) A library of infinite size.
(b) Narcissus.
(c) Calpurnia.
(d) Literary men.

5. What does Marsus suggest to Claudius?
(a) Reinstate Mithridates as King of Armenia.
(b) Support Gotarze.
(c) Take Bardanes as a hostage.
(d) Bring the forces to the Near East.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the triumph symbolize to Claudius?

2. Who does Claudius expel from the city?

3. Who orders Messalina to be executed?

4. What plague occurs the year Claudius and Agrippinilla marry?

5. Why does Claudius celebrate with a ten-day festival and a mock sea battle?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the usual feelings about a solar eclipse by the public? How does Claudius get the populace to feel differently about it?

2. What is the fate of the British isle now that the Romans have conquered it?

3. How does Silius react to Claudius when they meet for his trial? Does Silius show malicious intent in his acts or as a victim of Messalina?

4. Why does Claudius marry Agrippinilla over other potential women?

5. As Claudius presides over the trials of Messalina's adulterers and traitors at the wedding party, Messalina writes him three letters. Describe these letters and how it shows Messalina's true character.

6. How do rumors that Lucius is protected by double cobras come about?

7. Despite citing three different accounts of Claudius' death, what is in common with all of them?

8. How does Posides help win the war against Britain?

9. What is the reaction of those in Hell when Claudius arrives? Why do they react this way?

10. How might reinstating Mithridater to the Armenian throne help quell the alliance forming in the Near East?

(see the answer keys)

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